eorthopod.com

My therapist has asked that I do desensitisation of my limb with CRPS. It is painful to rub any object or surface over my limb. How can this help?

With CRPS, your brain changes the way it perceives the affected limb. This can occur within a few days of the onset of limb pain. There seems to be a direct relationship between the severity of pain in CRPS and the severity of body perceptual disturbance in the brain. Desensitisation makes you look, think about, and touch the affected limb. This likely reduces the body perceptual disturbance in the brain which then is likely to decrease the pain from the CRPS.

Reference: 

J. Lewis, et.al. PAIN December 2007. Vol. 133. Issue 1-3. Pp.111-119.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity.